Apparatus for selecting printing characters



Jan. 20, 1959 w. c. HUEBNER 2,869,443

v APPARATUS FOR SELECTING PRINTING CHARACTERS Filed June 2'7, 1952 6Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. WILL/HM C. HUEBNEE A r meme- 5 Jan. 20, 1959 w.c. HUEBNER 2,869,443

APPARATUS FOR SELECTING PRINTING CHARACTERS Filed June 2'7, 1952 6Sheecs-Shet 2 JNVENTOR. fl W/ LL IBM 6 HUEBNE/a HTTOENE 7 5 Jan. 20,1959 w. c. HUEBNER 2,869,443

APPARATUS FOR SELECTING PRINTING CHARACTERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June27, 1952 .m m W @7 C M K m W gs u m QvWM T W w m 7 4r A h u v wm M (mm MP W i M mm VIIIIIA &\ Qi: w i m x: l t m km Jan. 20, 1959 1 w. c.HUEBNER 2,369,443

APPARATUS FOR SELECTING PRINTING CHARACTERS Filed June 27, 1952 eSheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

WILL/AM C. HuEBMs-e BY Jan. 20, 1959 w. c. HUEBNER 2,869,443

APPARATUS FOR SELECTING PRINTING CHARACTERS Filed June 27, 1952 6Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 20, 1959 w. c. HUEBNER I 2,869,443

APPARATUS FOR SELECTING PRINTING CHARACTERS Filed Junn 27, 1952 6Sheets-Shet 6 I NVENTOR.

W/ L L IAMHUEBNEB 5 Bygzg g l F1 /0 W United States Patent 9 APPARATUSFOR SELECTING PRINTING CHARACTERS Application June 27, 1952, Serial No.2%,llb5

4 Claims. (Ci. 95-45) This invention relates to an apparatus forselecting printing characters and, more particularly, to an apparatusfor selecting or setting characters for reproduction by printing orother procedures.

United States Patent No. 2,180,417, granted to this applicant onNovember 21, 1939, discloses an apparatus for photographically composingprinting characters or symbols. Briefly stated, this is effected byproviding one or more fonts or sets of printing or type characters,including upper and lower case letters, numerals, punctuation marks, andthe like, which are selectively projected on a light sensitized surfaceby an optical system under control of a manually operated keyboard, aperforated tape or other means for selecting the characters. in thatapparatus actuation of a key, when a keyboard is employed, effectsoperation of a shutter associated with a corresponding one of theprinting or type characters so that the latter is reproduced on thelight sensitive surface. When, however, it is desired to select thecharacters or symbols comprising an entire line of type, prior toreproducing any of the separate symbols or characters, it is necessaryto interpose' an additional mechanism between the keys and the shutteroperating means. A device of this latter type is disclosed in UnitedStates Patent 2,402,750 issued to William C. Huebner on June 24-, 1946,and permits correction of any errors in the selection of the symbols orcharacters for a complete line thereof, as well as justification orspacing of the line before reproduction of any of the individualcharacters therein. Since the shutters of the reproduction apparatus arepreferably operated under control of an electromagnet or relay, thisintermediate apparatus may be conveniently termed a relay orelectromagnet selecting device or apparatus.

An object of this invention is to provide a relay or electromagnetselecting apparatus for effecting the aforementioned operations in animproved manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatuspermitting selection of the printing characters or symbols for acomplete line of type before reproduction of any of the individualcharacters thereof, wherein each selected character or symbol issequentially represented by a separate signal on a rotatable member withthe said signals spaced longitudinally and circumferentially about themember, after which the member is rotated past sensing means connectedto relay or electromagnetically controlled character reproducing devicesso that the signals are eifective to operate the relays r electromagnetsand thus reproduce the desired characters in their predetermined order.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus asdefined in the preceding paragraph and in which the representation ofthe printing characters on the rotatable member is effected duringstep-by-step rotation of the latter while sensing of the said signalsfor eifecting reproduction of the selected characters is efiected by asingle continuous rotation of said member in the same direction with thesaid signals being removed from the member after being sensed.

F atented Jan. 29, lh'iiti An additional object of the invention is toprovide an improved apparatus of the type defined above for selectingrelay or electromagnet operation in which two rotatable members are soassociated with the character selecting means and the characterreproduction means that one of said members may be provided with signalsrepresentative of one line of type while the other member is cooperatingwith sensing means for effecting reproduction of a previously selectedset of characters comprising another line of type, the rotatable membersbeing alternately employed for producing signals thereon and sensing ofsuch signals so that one line of type may be reproduced while the nextline is being set.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an improvedprinting character selecting apparatus comprising a cylindrical memberprovided with a plurality of movable members, arranged incircumferentially extending columns and longitudinally extended rowswhich are selectively moved by a plurality of individually operabledevices during step-by-step rotation of the cylindrical member past thesaid devices with the moved members being thereafter sensed to controlprinting character reproduction in accordance with the positions of saidmovable members.

A still more specific object of the invention is to provide an apparatusas defined in the preceding paragraph and wherein the said movablemembers are radially slideable pins supported in the periphery of thesaid cylindrical member with the said operable devices arranged longitudinally of said cylindrical member in the interior thereof and. withthe said sensing means arranged longitudinally of said cylindricalmember externally thereon.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved apparatusof the type defined in the two preceding paragraphs and wherein twocylindrical members are provided in association with a set of manuallyactuated character selecting means and a set of character reproductionmeans so that one of said cylindrical members may have the pins thereofselectively moved while the pins on the other of said members arecooperating with a sensing means for effecting reproduction of apreviously selected set of characters comprising a preceding line oftype, the cylindrical members being alternately employed so that oneline of type may be reproduced while the next line is being set.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved printingcharacter or symbol selecting apparatus comprising a single rotatablemember or drum on which such character or symbol is sequentiallyrepresented by a separate signal, with the said signals spacedlongitudinally and circumferentially about the member, which signals beeither sense-d while additional signals are imparted step-by-step to themember, or all the signals corresponding to a line of type may berapidly sensed before new signals are imparted to the member.

The invention also contemplates the provision of an improved apparatusof type defined above which is capable of use with printing apparatusemploying electronographic, photo-electric and other processes inaddition to those employing photographic reproduction of the selectedcharacters.

The invention further resides in certain novel features of theconstruction and in the combination and arrangement of parts of theapparatus in which the invention is embodied, and further objects andadvantages thereof will be apparent from the following description ofthe present preferred embodiment and certain modifications which arehereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a somewhat schematic front view of a photographic typecomposing apparatus operating in a manner similar to that disclosed inthe aforementioned Patent aaeasss 2,180,417 and showing the improvedcharacter selecting apparatus of this invention applied thereto but withthe manually operable keys and certain other portions of the structureomitted for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 2 is a somewhat schematic end elevational view of the apparatusillustrated in Fig. 1 as seen from the right-hand side thereof;

Pig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary traverse sectional view of one of therotatable members or cylinders of the mechanism showing the relationshipof the movable members or pins with the actuating and sensing devicesthere for;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view throughone of the rotatable members or cylinders, further showing therelationship of the movable members or pins with the actuating andsensing means therefor, as well as the means for producing stepby-stepor continuous rotation of the cylindrical member, the majority of thepins, actuating means and sensing means being omitted for the sake ofclarity;

Fig. 5 is a somewhat schematic view, partly in section and partly inelevation, illustrating the driving means for effecting rotation of thecylindrical members;

Fig. 6 is a detached enlarged view of a portion of the mechanism forproducing step-by-step rotation of one of the cylindrical members, theview being taken approximately on the line 66 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary developed view showing a portion of one of thecylindrical members in section and the stop members carried therebywhich control step-bystep rotation thereof, together with the means forrestoring the last mentioned members to their initial positions;

Fig. 8 is a simplified wiring diagram showing the manner in which theapparatus operates when two cylindrical members are provided, only apart of the plurality of signal producing and sensing means and one ofthe character reproduction controlling relays or electromagnets beingshown for the sake of simplicity;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to the lower portion ofFig. l but showing a modification of the invention wherein but onerotatable or cylindrical member is employed for effecting printingcharacter selections; and

Fig. 10 is a simplified wiring diagram similar to Fig. 8 but showing themanner in which the apparatus operates when but one cylindrical memberis provided.

Before entering upon a detailed description of the apparatus embodyingthe invention, a brief summary of the general character thereof willassist in an understanding of both the purpose and the construction ofthe device. The usual line of type can ordinarily be composed from afont of characters comprising 96 different characters, one of which willrepresent a space. Selection of the proper character from such a font orseries to compose a given line of printing is effected by actuation ofthe keys of a keyboard similar to that of a typewriter or linotypemachine, there being one key for each of the various characters orsymbols in the font thereof. The actuation of any key to select acharacter or symbol produces a signal on a rotatable member andsimultaneously causes a partial rotation of that member so that thecharacters or symbols corresponding to an entire line of type arerepresented by spaced signals. upon the rotatable member. The nature ofeach of the characters is therefore represented by its locationlongitudinally on the rotatable member while the position of thecharacter in the line which is to be reproduced is represented by thelocation of the signal circumferentially' of the rotatable member.

After the signals corresponding to an entire line of type have beenprovided upon the rotatable member any changes or corrections may bemade by altering the signals thereon before reproduction of thecharacters represented by the signals is effected. Also, justificeu.

tion of the line may be effected, if necessary, before reproduction.Thereafter, the rotatable member is rotated through one completerevolution without interruption during which time the signals previouslyplaced upon the member are sensed and sequentially actuateelectromagnets, relays, or the like, controlling reproduction ofcharacters corresponding to those initially selected from the font oftype by actuation of the keys of the keyboard.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention two rotatable members orcylinders are employed so that setting of one line of type may beeffected in the form of signals on one member or cylinder while theother member bearing previously set signals corresponding to thepreceding line of type is employed for causing reproduction of thepreselected characters. As a modification of the mechanism, however, asingle rotatable member may I be employed with the signals correspondingto a set line being sensed in its entirety before a second line is set.Alternatively, this form of the mechanism may be operated in a mannersuch that each signal corresponding to a space or character of apreviously set line is sensed step-by-step as the signals correspondingto the characters or spaces of the next line are being set.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, Figs. 1 through 8 illustratethe present preferred embodiment of the invention and the manner inwhich it cooperates with a photographic composing apparatus to controlreproduction photographically of the selected characters. Thephotographic composing apparatus, which is conventional and hence is notillustrated or described in detail, is resiliently supported upon arigid frame, generally designated 15, as by means of springs 16 and 17extending between upper and lower portions of the frame 15 and upper andlower structural members 18 and 19 of the composing mechanism,respectively. The composing mechanism, generally designated 20,comprises a lighttight housing 21 attached to an extensible bellows 22with the latter adjustably supported upon the members or rails 13 and 19through suitable mechanism including bevel gears 23 and shafts 24, 25and 26 which are actuated by a crank such as 27 and bevel. gears 28 toeffect movement of the bellows member 22 laterally of the structuralmembers or rails 18 and 19. Two other sets of such shafts, bevel gearsand cranks are provided which respectively operate, in a manner wellknown for dark room cameras, to effect adjustment of the mechanismvertically and longitudinally of the structural members.

Within the photographic composing apparatus 20 is provided a font oftype characters or symbols, 96 in mum-- er, which may be selectivelyprojected upon a light sensi-- tt've surface or film through operationof a shutter mechanism such as 29, see Fig.8, which is preferablypneumatically operated under control of an electromagnet or relay means3%. The details of this shutter operating mechanism does not, per se,form a part of this invention but may, for example, be of the type fullydisclosed in Patent 2,402,752 issued to William C. Huebner on June 25,1946. It will be understood from reference to this patent and theaforementioned Patent 2,180,417 that when the electromagnetic or relaymeans 30 is energized the shutter means 29 is operated to move the slide31 to open position, thus exposing the corresponding printing characteror symbol in the font thereof for a predetermined length of time toeffect reproduction thereof. Also included within the photographiccomposing mechanism 24 is a means for shifting the sensitized plate orpaper so that the characters or symbols are reproduced thereon in properorder to constitute successive lines of printing. This mechanism,generally designated 32, in Fig. 8 likewise does not, per se, form apart of the invention and hence is not here illustrated or described indetail.

The present invention is concerned with a means for permitting selectionof the characters or symbols for an entire line type before of thecharacters reproduced and then rapidly effecting reproduction of theline thus selected or set. For this purpose the aforementioned frame ofthe mechanism is provided adjacent the lower portion thereof with ahorizontally disposed shelf or support 33 on which spaced verticallyextending support or bracket members 34, 35, 36 and 37 are mounted withtheir upper ends connected by horizontally extending bars or memberssuch as 33, 39. Journaled within the skeleton framework thus providedare two identical rotatable members, generally designated 4t) and 41.Since these members are identical in construction and operation, onlyone will be described in detail.

The members 49 and 41 each have a cylindrical shell 42 which issupported at either end on an end member provided with openings or cutout portions such as intermediate the periphery and the hub portion 45thereof. The members it? and 41 are rotatably supported upon a centrallydisposed hollow tubular member or axle 46 by means of bearings such asd7, the tubular member or axle 46 being stationarily mounted in thesupport members or brackets 34 to 37 and held from rotation with respectthereof by keys or the like 43, see Fig. 4. The rotatable members orcylinders and 41 are maintained in predetermined axial position upon theshaft or tubular member 56 by suitable nuts such as and 50 which arescrewed upon threaded portions of the tubular member or shaft 46 to holdthe inner races of the ball bearings fixed to the shaft by clamping theraces against shoulders formed on the tubular member or shaft 46. Asuitable lock washer, such as 51, may be interposed between each of thenuts 49, 50 and bearings 47, if desired.

The cylindrical shell 42 of each of the members 49 and 41 is providedwith a plurality of radially extended bores 52 arranged inlongitudinally extending rows and circumferentially extended columns. Asmentioned heretofore, 96-characters are normally sufiicient to providefor a complete line of type. Consequently, the cylindrical shells of themembers 4%, 41 each have 96 of the bores 52 in any longitudinallyextended row and 190 or more of such rows arranged circumferentiallyspaced about the surface of the cylindrical member. The provision ofmore than 96 rows circumferentially of the members permits the presenceof 96 complete rows between the signal producing means and the sensingmeans for a purpose hereinafter described.

Within each bore 52 is slideably disposed a movable pin-like member 53which is formed of electrically conductive material and is slideablethrough insulating bushings 5d and 55 provided adjacent either end ofthe bores 52. Intermediate its ends and between the bushings 5d, 55, thepins 53 are each provided with a collar 56 of conductive material whichhas a sliding frictional lit within the bore 52, thus retaining the pin53 in the position to which it is moved while at the same time providingan electrically conductive path from the pin to the shell 42 which isalso formed of conductive material.

The pins 53 are adapted to be selectively moved radial outwardlyrelative to the circumference of the cylinder to thereby provide theaforementioned signal indicative of the fact that the correspondingcharacter from the font of characters or symbols is to be reproduced. Toeffect this selective movement an individually operated device or meansis provided for each of the pins in a longitudinally extending row ofthe latter, said operating de vices being disposed so that the pinactuating portions are in longitudinal alignment lengthwise of thecylinder and are individually aligned with the pins in any row thereof.In the illustrated embodiment the pin actuating devices or means areelectromagnetically operated and each comprises a pair of solenoids orelectromagnets 57 mounted by suitable brackets upon a plate-like support.58 carried by a supporting member 59 wh'ch, in turn, is

bolted to clamping blocks on and 61 secured to the shaft or tubularmember 46.

Each of the pairs of solenoids or electromagnets 57 is adapted, whenenergized, to attract an armature member 62 and thereby effect radialmovement of the associated pin 53. This is achieved by having thearmature member 62 in the form of a bell crank lever, one arm of whichconstitutes the armature for the associated electromagnet while theother arm 63 has arcuate portion curved beneath the associated pin 53 toengage and axially move such pin when the lever is rocked about itspivot 65. As shown, each lever is pivoted to a separate support as at65. The pivot 65 may, however, be common to the longitudinally alignedlevers of the adjacent electromag netic devices and comprise alongitudinally extended rod suitably supported upon the aforementionedstructure which supports the electromagnets.

Due to the fact that the pins 53 are relatively close together,alternate pin actuating devices or electromagnets are reversely disposedwith respect to each other to conserve space and prevent interference ofthe pin actuating levers. Thus, it will be seen that the pair ofsolenoids comprising the electromagnetic device 66, for actuating thepin 53 adjacent that which is actuated by the device 57, face in theopposite direction to the electromagnetic device 57 and have thecooperating bell crank lever 63! likewise reversely arranged. Thisprovides a compact arrangement of the pin actuating devices and abalanced distribution of the same upon the mounting means thCl'zxfor.Each of the cylinders or rotatable members 4?, is provided with aseparate set of pin actuating devices of the type just describedcorresponding in number to the number of pins in a longitudinal row ofthe latter on the cylindrical member. For the sake of clarity, themajority of the pins and pin actuating devices have been omitted fromthe drawings.

The solencids or electromagnets of the pin actuating devices 57, 6e areadapted to be selectively energized through actuation of individual keysassociated therewith. These keys 655, one only of which is illustratedin Fig. 8, may be provided in a keyboard similar to that of a typewriteror linotype machine and will be equal in number to the number ofcharacters or symbols in the font of type employed, which in the presentembodiment is 96. Each key is adapted, when actuated. to close anelectrical circuit, as hereinafter described, to operate thecorresponding electromagnetic means, such as 57, thereby actuating thecorresponding pin 53. Thus, when the electromagnet 57 is energized as aresult of operation of its associated key 68, the armature portion 62 ofthe bell crank lever will be rocked clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3,thereby moving the arcuate portion 64 upwardly so that the pin 53aligned therewith is radially displaced and projects outwardly from theperiphery of the cylindric l member in a manner which may be said toprovide a signal. The actuated pin 53 will be retained in this position,until positively returned to its initial or lowermost position, due tothe aforementioned friction between the pin 53 and the bushings 5d, 55,as well as the friction between the collar 56 and the bore 52 in whichthe pin is positioned. Consequently, release of the key 63 and resultingdeenergization of the electromagnetic device 57 will return the arcuateportion d4 of the ell crank lever to its lowermost position while thecorresponding pin 53 will remain in its actuated position as a signalwhich may be subsequently sensed to effect reproduction of thecorresponding printing character or symbol as will hereinafter becomeapparent.

Electrical current for operating the electromagnetic devices, such as57, 6a? is provided by a plurality of supply wire such as 69, see Fig.4, one for each set of electromagnets, which enter the apparatus throughthe hollow interior of the tubular member as and pass therefrom to thedevices through appropriate openings such as 76. The circuit may becompleted through se "it return Wires or through a common return whichmay either be in the form of a wire or simply through the electricallyconductive portions of the apparatus.

The rotatable members or cylinders 49, 41 are each adapted to beseparately rotated step-by-step to successively bring each succeedinglongitudinal row of pins into alignment with the arcuate portions 6 ofthe pin actuating devices. This may be efifccted by any suitable drivingmeans. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the drive for bothcylinders is provided from a single electric motor ill, see Fig. 5, theshaft of which provided with a spur gear '72 in continuous mesh withspur teeth on a "riction clutch member 73. The friction clutch member 73is freely rotatable on a shaft '74 on which driven clutch members 75 and7d are supported adjacent to and on opposite sides ing clutch rber 73.The members 75 and id have axially extended annular flanged portionswhich respectively engage annular friction members 7'9 and 8% disposedone on either of the clutch member 73:. The friction members 79 and areurged into engagement with the annular portions 75, 6 by compressionsprings, such as 31, which disposed between the members '79 and in boresextending through the clutch member 73 parallel with the axis thereof.The friction members 7%, are prevented rom rotation relative to thedriving clutch member by suitable means such as, for example, aplurality of spaced pins 82 extending through the clutch member 73 andthe friction members 79", fill, one of which pins is shown in Pig. 5.

Tie driven clutch member 75 is provided on its ex ternal periphery withspur gear teeth 83 which mesh with a spur gear provided on the adjacentend member 43 of the rotatable member or cylinder Likewise, the drivenclutch member 7-6 is provided on its external periphery with spur gearteeth which mesh with the teeth of a spur gear 3t: upon the adjacent endwall of the other cylindrical member ift. Preferably, the shaft '74 isextended parallel with the axis of the tubular member or shaft 46 and isprovided with gears such as 87 and 87' adjacent either end meshing withgears :53, 33' near the adjacent end walls 43 of the cylinders toprovide driving at both ends of the latter and thereby balance thetorques.

The construction just described is such that, when the cylindricalmembers id and 31 are free to rotate, they are both driven by the motor'71 at a speed determined by the speed of the latter and the ratio ofgears between the motor and the members. If, however, one of the members23*, ii is held stationary, driving of the other member may still beeffected since the stationary member will simply produce slippingbetween its associated annular member or 76 and the correspondingfriction material such as 79, 353, while there will be no slippagebetween the corresponding parts associated with the other rotatablemember. Step-by-step rotation of either member may be effected bysequentially stopping rotation of ti t member while maintaining themotor 71 in continuous operation. Consequently, one of the members maycontinuously rotate while the other of the members is being rotated in astep-by-step manner. Therefore, the pins on one of the cylindricalmembers 4%, 41 may be selectively actuated while that member is rotatingstep-by-step and at the same time the previously set pins on the othermember may have its actuated pins sensed, as hereinafter described, toeflect actuation of the corresponding shutter means 99 and therebyeffect reproduction the associated characters in the font of type.

The selecive stopping or perniitting of free rotation of rotatablemembers or cylinders ill, may be effected by various mechanisms. in thepreferred embodiment, how ever, this is achieved by providing the outerface of one of the end members, such as 43, of the cylinder with aplurality of outwardly movable stop members, generally designated 89.These stop members are arranged circumferentially about the cylindricalmember and are spaced apart distances corresponding to space betweenadjacent rows of the pins 53. The stop members 39 are each provided witha shaft-like portion integral with the stop member or connected formovement therewith, which shaft portions are axially slideable in boresprovided in the end wall of the cylindrical member, see Fig. 4. The stopmembers 69 are each prevented from rocking or rotating relative to theend wall 43 by ha ing sliding fit on an axially extending pin 93 mountedii, the end wall 43 in parallel relationship to the shaftlike portion9h, there being one s ch pin for each stop member.

The ends of the stop members 89, adjacent the hub 2-5, have radiallyextending flange portions 92 which are adapted to sequentially engage amaster stop mcmbe 93. This master stop member 93 is pivoted adjacent itsupper upon a shaft 94 which is mounted in a suitable bracket 95 attachedto the supporting wall or member 37 adjacent the end wall of thecylindrical member. in the illustrated form, the master stop member issubstantially tria gular in confi uration although this may be varied ifdesired. The lower end of the master stop member 93 is of reduced width,as indicated at 96 in 6, and is adapted to fit between the flangeportions 92 on adjacent ones of the stop members 89.

intermediate the pivot shaft and the reduced width portion 96, themaster stop member )3 is connected to one end of an actuating rod 97.This rod extends through a suitable bore in a boss or bracket on thesupport member 37 and is connected, adjacent its other end, with one arm93 of a bell crank lever 93. The bell crank lever 99 is pivoted at itltlto the bracket or frame member 37 and has the other arm rill thereofpivoted to the armature 1W2, of an electromagnet Trill; supported uponthe bracket or frame member 37. The rod 97 is provided with a collarill-i intermediate the lever arm and stop member 93, and a compressionspring 1 25 surrounds the rod 97 between this collar and a plate TlQdwhich is suitably connected to the boss or bracket throt gh which therod )7 slides.

The construction just described is such that the spring urges the masterstop member to the position shown in Fig. 4 where the lower end @6 isdisposed between the stop members 39 and in engagement with a flange 92on one of these stop members. Consequently, the corresponding rotatablemember or cylinder Ed is held from rotati n. t/hen, however, theelectromagnet 1 33 is energized the bell crank lever 99 will be rockedcounterclockwise as viewed in Pig. 4 since the electromagnet itlf; is ofthe push-out type. Consequently, the rod 97 will move to the left,against the force of the spring 3%, thus rocking the master stop memberclockwise to a position such that portion is no longer in the path ofthe stop members 89, when the latter are in their positions shown inFig. 4, so that there can be free rotation of the correspondingrotatable member or cylinder A cor res onding rotation controllingmechanism is also provided for the rotatable member or cylinder 41.

Step-by-sten rotation of the rotatable member or cylinder ill iseffected by allowing the electromagnet to?) to remain deenergized, sohat the master stop member 93 is positioned in the path of the stopmembers 89, and then successively moving the stop members out ofengagement with the master stop member This latter operation is effectedby a second push-out type solenoid or electromagnet its? which issupported from the tubular shaft or member 1-6 by a suitable bracket 1%.The elem tromagnet 197 has the armature thereof connected to a rod ill?which is supported for axial sliding movement parallel with the axis ofthe rotatable member and at a radial distance from that axis such as tobe successively in alignment with the inner ends of the shaft portionsof the stop members The rod 339 is urged to the position shown in Fig. 4by means of a coil spring lit acting between a collar ill on the rod anda bushing 112 assume 9, and through which the rod slides. The rotatablememher or cylinder 41 has a similar stepping mechanism comprising anelectromagnet M37 and associated axially moving rod for sequentiallyactuating the stop members 89 carried by. that cylindrical member.

The electromagnets 1W7 and 1 97 are connected in an electrical circuit,as hereinafter described, in a manner such that the steppingelectromagnet associated with the rotatable member or cylinder iii or5-1 on which the pins 53 are being actuated is sequentially energized tothereby produce step-by-step rotation of at c nder. The circuitconnections are such that wl a hey corresponding to one of thecharacters or symbols to be re produced is actuated a circuit iscompleted to boh energize the pin setting electromagnet such 2simultaneously energize the stepping elc as 107. Energization of thelatter more the left as viewed in Fig. 4, thus engaging the i of theshaft portion 99 of the stop member aligned with the rod, thereby movingthat sto member 89 to the left as viewed in Fig. 4. Ti

next succeeding stop member 89 abuts member 93, it being remembered thatmechanism is continuously operating tending to pro" such rotationthrough the friction drive described. tofore The extent of this partialrotation is just sufficient to bring the next succeeding row of pins 53into alignment with the pin actuating electromagnetic means 57" and theshaft portion hfi of the next succeeding stop member 89 into alignmentwith the rod 1% which will have returned to its initial position uponrelease of the associated key 655. This action is repeated each time acharaco5 ter or space selecting key d3 is operated so that the positionof each printing character or space in a complete line of type isrepresented by the circumferential posi of an actuated pin on thecylinder while n the character is represented by the position of thecorresponding actuated pin longitudinally of the cylindrical member.

The actuated stop members 89 are returned to their initial positionsduring further rotation of the corresponding cylindrical member by asuitable stationary cam. Thus, as shown in Fig. 7, the stop memberswhich have been moved to a position such that their flanges 2 no longerin position to engage with the stop member 93 are restored durin furtherrotation of the cylindrical member by a stationary cam 113 connected toor integnal with the frame member or bracket 37. The cam 113 ispreferably so located that the stop members are re turned to theirinitial positions shortly after they have passed the master stop member93.

Let it be assumed that one of the rotatable members or cylinders, forexample at has thus been sequent ally rotated step-by-step by actuatingthe suitable keys for operation of the pins 53 and the step-by-steprotation of the cylinder or member. Consequently, there will now be aplurality of pins 53 extending outwardly from the periphery of thecylindrical member with the position of each actuated pin longitudinallyof the cylindrical member representing the character, symbol or spacewhich is to be reproduced with the circumferential positions of 'theactuated pins representing the sequential order in which the characters,symbols or spaces will be repro duced in the completed line of type. Toeifect reproduction of the preselected characters, symbols or spaces,the openator now effects energization of the electromagnet 103controlling the master stop 93. This moves the master stop from the pathof the stops 8% so that the cylindrical member 49 may now freely rotate.During this rotation the pins 53 which have been actuated will be sensedand the corresponding shutter means 2S will be operated to efiect thedesired reproduction of the corresponding characters from the font oftype. Shortly a" 10 ated pins 53 have thus been sensed they will each berestored to its initial position thereby preparing the cylindricalmember for setting of a ncuv line.

The mechanism for sensing the signals on the cylindrical member, i. e.,the actuated pins 53, comprises a plurality of rollers 114 formed ofelectrically conducted material insulatingly support-ed for rotationabout a common axis extending longitudinally of the rotatable member orcylinder 4%). The spacing between the separate rollers 114- is equal tothe distance between the pins 53 so that there is a roller in the pathof each of the pins 53 in any longitudinal row thereof. The rollers 114are shown as having separate axles supported in suitable brackets or thelike 115 depending from a member 116 which is substantially U-shaped incross section and is insulatedly supported upon a block or blocks 117 ofrubber or the like which is, in turn, carried by brackets or othersupporting means 118 connected with the frame of the apparatus. Disposedin vertical alignment with each of. the rollers 114 is a rod or pin 119of conductive material, the lower end of which is in engagement with thecorresponding roller 114 and held thereagainst by a spring 120 mountedupon the insulating material 117 and acting upon the upper end of thecorresponding rod or pin 119. The spring 128 is likewise formed ofconductive material and is connected by a wire, such as 121, to oneterminal of a shutter actuating electromagnet or relay 3%) and eachshutter mechanism for each character, symbol or space in the font oftype is similarly connected to a separate roller 114 of the sensingmeans. The cylindrical member dli is provided with an identical sensingmeans and an electrical swl ching means is provided, as hereinafterdescribed, to selectively employ eit .er set of sensing means to actuatethe relays or electr c-magnets 30 of the shutter means 29.

The pins 53 are, as mentioned heretofore, in electrical contact with theshell of t e corresponding cylindrical member, and these shells of themembers 40, 41 may be selectively placed in electrical conductiverelationship with one side of an electrical power supply to provide theaforementioned selective control of the shutter means. Thus the wire122, which represents one side of the power supply, is connected with awire 123 and this wire is, in turn, connected with a switch blade 12%which may be positioned into engagement with a wire 125 connected withthe shell and pins 53 of one of the cylinders or with the wire 126connected with the pins 53 and shell of the other cylinder. Assumingthat wire 125 is thus connected, electrical energy flows through anactuated pin 55 to the associated rolier 114, when engaged therewith,thence through pin 319, spring 120 and wire 121 to one terminal or" thecorresponding electromagnet 30 for actuating the shutter means 29. Theother terminal of this electro-magnet is connected by a Wire 3127 to theother side of the electrical power supply rep-resented by the wire 128.Hence, as each row of pins 53 moves beneath the sensing means, theactuated pins successively engage the rollers and actuate the shuttermeans controlling reproduction of the selected printing characters.

The rotation of the cylindrical member to effect this sensing iseffected by moving the master stOp member of the cylindrical member,whose pins are being sensed, to inoperative position. This is undercontrol of the switch blade 1%. Thus, with this switch blade inengagement with wire to effect sensing of the pins on the cylindricalmember the clectromaguet 163 is energizcd rocking the master stop member93 out of the path of the stop members so that the cylindrical member isfreed for uninterrupted rotation during which the pins 53 which havebeen actuated outwardly of the cylinder engage the rollers lid as theyrotate thereunder, thus completing an electrical circuit therethroughoperating the corresponding shutter means 29 in succession to reproducethe corresponding character or symbol in a manner which will be apparentfrom the aforementioned Patent 2339.417, the speed of rotation of thecylinder being the ascends selected through proper selection of the gearratios in the previously described drive so that the speed of shutteroperation is proper for reproduction purposes.

As each of the actuated pins 53 passes beneath the sensing meanscomprising the rollers 114, the said engagement will tend to move thepins back to their initial positions. 129 which comprises outwardlyprojecting fingers carried by the sensing means mounting support andpositioned to engage the pins 53 and return the latter to theirlowermost positions.

The sensing means and the reset means for each cylindrical member areangularly disposed rearwardly of the position where the pin actuatingmechanism is operative, as will be apparent in Fig. 3, so that eachactuated pin 53 may be sensed and returned to its initial positionbefore the pins are again in position for a new actuation. After thepins have all been sensed, rotation of the cylinder may continue withoutfurther operation of the shutter means 29 until such time as the switchblade 124 is reversed in position to place it in engagement with thewire 12s. When thus positioned, the switch blade conditions the machinefor sensing of the pins 53 upon the other cylindrical member, which pinswere being set during the sensing of the previously mentioned cylinder.This new position of the switch blade 124 breaks the circuit to themaster stop electromagnet 103 so that the master stop 93 for thecylinder whose pins have just been sensed is returned to its initialposition and prevents further rotation of that cylinder by engagement ofthe said stop member 93 with one of the stop members 89. At the sametime the electromagnet 103 for the master stop of the other cylindricalmember is energized so that the latter is now free to rotate for sensingof the actuated pins thereof which have been placed in the electricalcircuit by the switch blade 124. It will be noted that since thecylindrical members and 41 have their entire peripheries provided withrows of pins 53, all equally spaced, it is immaterial between which ofthe stop members 39 thereon the associated master stop member 93 entersand thereby causes the cylindrical member to come to rest since at anypoint where this can occur one of the rows of pins 53 will be alignedwith the pin actuating means such as 57. in view of the fact that 96rows of pins may be necessary for preselecting a complete line of type,the number of rows of pins 53 on the cylindrical members is preferably100 or more so that a pin 53 in each of 96 rows thereof may be actuatedbefore any of them reach the sensing means.

As mentioned heretofore, the electrical power for operating theapparatus is supplied through wires 122 and 123 which are connected withthe mechanism in the manner schematically represented in Fig. 8 whereinbut one pin actuating key 68 is illustrated together with the associatedpin setter for each of the two cylindrical members. Likewise, Fig. 8shows but one of the sensing rollers 114 for the sensing means of eachof the cylindrical members and a single shutter means 29 which may becontrolled by either of these sensing mechanisms. it will be understood,however, that there will be as many keys 68 as there are pins 53 in arow extending longitudinally of a cylindrical member 41) or 41 and thatthere will be a corresponding number of pin setting electromagnets 5'7or 57 for each of the cylindrical members as well as a correspondingnumber of sensing rollers 114 for each of the cylindrical members. Thereis, however, but one stepping solenoid such as 1W7, 107', respectively,for each of the cylindrical members and but one master stopelectromagnet 1133, 1.113, respectively, for each of the cylindricalmembers.

As illustrated in Fig. 8, each of the keys 68 has an insulating portion130 which is adapted to move an electrical contact 131 into engagementwith a second'electrical contact 132 when the key is actuated. This willcomplete a circuit from the wire 122 through the wire This action iscompleted by a reset means 12 133 and contacts 131, 132 to a wire 134which is connected with a switch blade 135. The switch blades 135associated with the keys 68 and the previously mentioned switch blade124 are ganged for simultaneous operation. Consequently, when theseswitch blades have been moved to the left, the blades 135 will each bepositioned in circuit closing relationship with a terminal of a pinactuat-.

ing or setting electromagnet 37. Thus, the illustrated switch blade 135is placed in engagement with the contact connected with the wire 69which is connected with the input lead of the electromagnet 57 for oneof the pin setting or actuating electromagnets and which is here termedthe left pin setter since it is associated with the left-handcylindrical member 44). Simultaneously, the switch blade 124 will be inengagement with the contact connected with the wire 126 so that thesensing means 114 of the right-hand sylinder 41 is effected to transferthe signals or information, in the form of projecting pins 53, to theshutter means 29, as has just been described. During the time that theright-hand cylindrical member 41 is being sensed, as described above,the operator will be selectively actuating the pins 53 on the left-handcylindrical member 4-0 through operation of the keys 63. Thus, asmentioned above, when a key 63 is depressed it completes a circuit fromthe power supply line 122 through the associated switch blade 13 5 tothe corresponding electromagnet 57 and from the latter to the commonreturn wire 127 which is connected with the other side 1 28 of the powersupply. Consequently, the electromagnet 57 will be energized, moving thecorresponding pin 53 radially outwardly. The armature 62 of theelectromagnet 57 is connected with a normally open contact 136 which isadapted, when closed, to connect the wire 69 to one terminal of theelectromagnet 107 of the left stepping solenoid or electromagnet, thiscircuit being completed through a wire to the wire 127 which isconnected with the power supply wire 12S. Consequently, the depressionof a key 68 not only actuates the corresponding electromagnet 57 toproject the associated pin 53, in the row which is aligned with the pinactuators, radially outwardly, but also energizes the electromagnet 167thereby projecting the stop member 89 aligned therewith beyond theposition of the master stop member 93 so that the left-hand cylindricalmember rotates a distance suflicient to bring the next succeeding stopmember 89 into engagement with the master stop 93, thereby aligning thenext succeeding row of pins 53 with the pin actuating electromagnets.The other keys of the keyboard corresponding to the other characterswhich are to be reproduced are likewise sequentially operated and willlikewise produce radial outward movement of the corresponding pins 53 inthe proper row thereof and the stepping of the cylindrical member to thenext successive position. Similarly, actuation of a space key willactuate a pin 53 and step the cylindrical member. The provision of acontact such as 136 actuated by the armature of each electromagnet 57,ensures that an energized pinsetting electromagnet will have fullyprojected the associated pin 53 before the stepping electromagnet isenergized.

When all of the pins corresponding to the characters, symbols or spaceswhich are to be reproduced have thus been set, the operator then movesthe switch blades 124 and 135 from their previously mentioned positionsto the opposite positions thereof thereby placing the blade 124 intoengagement with the contact connected with the wire i123 and the switchblades into engagement with the contacts connected with the wire such asThis position of the switch blades 135, one only of which is shown,therefore connects the keys such as 68 for control of the pin setting oractuating electromagnets such as 57 associated with the right-handcylindrical member 41 and disconnects the pin setting or actuatingelectromagnets 57 of the left-hand cylindrical member 40 from operativewill relationship with the keys 6%. Likewise, this movement of theswitch blades 1% has provided an energizing path through the wire 139hid the armature actuated contact me to the stepping electromagnet 107'for the right-hand cylinder while simultaneously breaking the energizingcircuit for the corresponding stepping electromagnet 1W for theleft-hand cylindrical member 41). Therefore, when the keys o are nowactuated the pins 53 on the right-hand c ri member are sequentiallyactuated and the c indrical ember 41 rotated step-bystep in the same mtleft-hand c drical member dll was previously ctuated.

The placing of swi blade 124 in engagement with the contact connected towire simultaneously with the transfer of the keys from control of thepins for the left-hand cylindrical member to control of the pins on theright-hand cylindrical member, now makes possible the sensing of thepreviously set pins 53 on the left-hand cylindrical member whilepreventing sensing of the pins on the right-hand cylindrical member 4-1.Hence, the electromagnet 1G3 controlling the master stop 93 for theleft-hand cylindrical member is now energized through a circuitextending from the power supply wire 122 through wire 123, switch blade124, wire 125, and electromagnet 1 33 to the wire 12%. Therefore, themaster stop 93 for the left-hand cylindrical member 46 is released fromthe stop members 89 thereon so that this member may now rotate freely.This rotation successively brings the pins 53 beneath the sensingrollers 11d of the lefthand sensing means, which are now connected tothe power supply wire 122 and 123 through the switch 124 and wire Hence,the pins 53 which are engaged complete a circuit through thecorresponding rods 119 and the wire 121 to the electromagnetic operatorsor relays 3% of the corresponding shutter means 29, which arerepresentative of the character or symbol whose pin was thus sensed,this circuit being completed through the wire 127 to the other side ofthe power supply. No shutter means need be provided for the pins 53corresponding to a space in the completed line where the reproduction isphotographic since such a space would require no exposure of the lightsensitive member on which reproduction is efiected.

Therefore, while the characters representative of the next successiveline are being set upon the right-hand cylindrical member 41, thosepreviously set upon the lefthand cylindrical member are now effective tocause reproduction through operation of the shutter means 29 in a mannerwhich will be apparent from an inspection of the previously mentionedPatent 2,180,417. During this reproduction the set film, in the form ofa plate or paper, upon which the reproduction is being eifected will beproperly moved by the stepping mechanism 32, the control of which doesnot form a part of this invention but may be similar to that shown inthe aforementioned Patent 2,180,417.

It will be apparent, therefore, that by the mechanism just described acomplete line of characters, symbols and/or spaces corresponding to acomplete line of type may be preselected through operation of suitablekeys such as 63 and then this preselected information reproduced while anew line is being set. This effects a considerable saving of time sinceit is not necessary to await transfer of the previously set informationbefore beginning setting of a new line of information. Moreover, byeffecting setting of a complet line before reproducing any of thecharacters in that line, any errors may be readily corrected which ismuch simpler than attempting to correct a line which has been reproducedin error. Correction of an error may be readily effected by simplydepressing the incorrectly operated pin 53 and, in fact, the entiresetting may be cleared in this manner and the line reset without thenecessity of retu ding the cylinder to its initial posi 1 n sincesetting of a l ..e of information may be started at any peripheral pointabout a cylindrical member.

Although the invention preferably embodied in an apparatus comprisingtwo cylindrical members so that the advantages of setting pins upon onecylindrical member may be elfected while the previously set member isused to reproduce the corresponding information, the invention may alsobe embodied in a similar manner by employing only one cylindricalmember. In such a construction, the photographic composing mechanism isthe same before and hence is designated by the same numeral 21).Likewise, the supporting structure or frame is substantially the sameand hence is designated by the same numeral 15. Similarly although onlyone of the cylindrical members is employed, it will be constructed anddriven in the same manner as previously described.

Such a cylindrical member or drum will have a plurality of radiallymovable pins 141 corresponding in number, spacing and construction withthe aforementioned pins 53, see Figs. 9 and 10. Likewise, thecylindrical marnber 140 will be provided with stops similar to the stops89 and which are actuated by a solenoid or electromagnet 142 in the samemanner as were the stops 89 of the first described embodiment.Similarly, the mechanism will be provided with a master stop actuatedunder control of an electromagnet 143 in the same manner that theelectromagnet 103 controlled operation of the master stop 93 in theprior embodiment. Also, the sensing means will comprise rollers 144 androds 145 in engagement therewith and electrically connected with theelectromagnets or relays 30 of the shutter means 29, as has beenpreviously described. Keys 146 will be also provided similar to the keys68 for operation of the contacts 147 and 148 and thereby controlactuation of the pins 141 through energization of the associatedelectromagnets 14?. In view of the fact that the aforementioned elementsare identical in construction to those previously illustrated anddescribed, it is not deemed necessary to repeat those details.

Fig. 10 illustrates the circuit for this modified form of apparatus. Asshown therein, only one manually operated key, one pin actuator, onesensing roller and one shutter operating mechanism are illustrated butit will be understood that these will correspond in number with thenumber of characters or symbols needed to compose an entire line.

. Electrical energy is supplied to the apparatus through wires 15d and151 with wire connected to the movable key controlled contact such as147. Hence, actuation of the key 146 will now complete a circuit fromthe wire 15%; through the contacts 147, 148 to a wire 152 which isconnected to the input lead of the pin actuating or settlingelectromagnet 145 the other lead thereof being connected by a wire 153to the power supply wire 151. Consequently, actuation of the key 146operates the corresponding electromagnet 149 thus moving the associatedpin 141 radially outwardly. Movement of the armature of electromagnet149 to fully operated position, corresponding to full projection of theassociated pin 53, closes the armature actuated contact 154 completing acircuit therethrough and through wire 155 to the stepping electromagnet142. This circuit is completed through wire 156 to supply line 151 sothat the electromagnet 142 is energized thereby permitting rotation ofthe cylindrical member 146 one step, as will be apparent from theprevious description of the embodiment utilizing two cylindricalmembers. This brings the cylindrical member 140 into position forselective actuation for one of the pins 141 in the next succeeding rowand this may be effected by a key similar to 146 which will energize thecorresponding pin setting or actuating electromagnet and the steppingsolenoid or electromagnet, as will now be apparent.

The relative positions of the pin actuating and sensing means are thesame as described for the embodiment illusstrated in Figs. 1 to 8 andhence the pins corresponding aseaass to an entire or substantially anentire line of type may be set before any of the pins is in position tobe sensed. Hence, sensing the set pins, and transfer of the storedinformation represented thereby, is effected by actuation of a switchsuch as 157. This completes a circuit from the wire 150 through the wire158 and through the switch 157 to and through the master stop operatingelectromagnet 143, this circuit being completed by the wires 159 and 153back to the other power supply wire 151. Consequently, the master stopis moved from operative position so that the cylindrical member 140 isfree to rotate, and during this rotation the actuated pins 141 will besensed by engagement with the corresponding rollers 144 of the sensingmeans, thereby causing actuation of the corresponding shutter means 2%.This is possible due to the fact that the power supply wire 1% isconnected through the wire 158 to the pins 141. Hence, each actuated pinis engaged by the associated sensing rollers 1'44 thereby completing acircuit through the said roller and its pin 145 to a wire 1'60 connectedwith the electromagnet or relay for the corresponding shutter means 29,the circuit being completed from the latter through a wire 161 connectedwith the other side of the power supply through the Wires 159 and 153.Consequently, the several shutter means 29 corresponding with thecharacters which are to be reproduced will be sequentially actuated, ashas been previously described, thereby reproducing the line ofcharacters, symbols and/or spaces which have been preselected. As eachactuated pin 141' is sensed, the rollers 144 will tend to effectresetting of the pins, as has been previously described, this resettingbeing completed by lingers or projections 162 similar to thosedesignated 129 in Fig. 3.

It will be evident therefore that in this modification of the inventionthe operation of producing signals upon a rotatable member in accordancewith the characters which are to be reproduced is effected in the samemanner as in the first described embodiment. Therefore, when operated asjust described, the advantages with respect to being able to correct anyerrors is likewise present in this embodiment although it is necessaryto await completion of the transfer of the selected information in theform of reproduction of the characters corresponding to the line whichhas been set prior to setting a new line.

The single rotatable member or drum embodiment of the invention can alsobe operated in a manner such that the signals corresponding to thecharacters or spaces of one line of type are sensed step-by-step whilethe signals corresponding to the next line of type are being provided onthe member or drum 14-0. This mode of operation is elfected, as before,by sequentially actuating the keys 146 corresponding to the charactersor spaces in a given line of type. Consequently, the appropriate pins141 will be projected outwardly with the member Mil rotatably steppingwith each actuation of a key. However, when pins corresponding to anentire line of type have thus been actuated, the operator does not closeswitch 157 but begins to actuate keys corresponding to the next line oftype. This will continue to rotatably step the member 140 so that thepreviously actuated pins 141, corresponding to the preceding line oftype, sequentially pass beneath the sensing means thereby actuating thecorresponding shutter means 2s. When the apparatus is to be thusoperated the shutter means 29 should be of the wellknown self closingtype so that a predetermined exposure of the sensitized surface will beeffected regardless of the length of time a pin 141 remains in contactwith a roller 144%.

When the apparatus is operated as just mentioned,

setting of pins 141 and sensing of previously set pins,

corresponding to the preceding line of type, may be effectedconcurrently so that it is not necessary to await the completion of thesensing of the pins for the previous line of type before starting to setthe pins for the nor-Lt line. When the pins for the last line have beenset,

they may be sensed by actuating switch 157 thereby energizing the masterstop operating electromagnet 143 so that the member is drivencontinuously through a complete revolution during which the actuatedpins will be sensed and restored.

For the sake of simplicity this invention has been described withreference to photographic composing of lines of text by employing anapparatus similar to that shown in the aforementioned Patent 2,180,417.The mechanism here disclosed may, however, be used for reproducing textin accordance with other procedures as, for example, by either photoelectric or electronographic means. Thus, in place of the mechanismshown in Patent 2,l80,4l7 for effecting character or symbolreproductions, the apparatus here disclosed may be employed with thereproduction apparatus shown in my copending application Serial No.249,753 filed October 4, 951, and entitled Apparatus for Reproducingimages, now Patent No. 2,764,500. Moreover, although the means forresenting the characters which are to be reproduced has been disclosedas radially projected pins carried by a cylindical member, it will beapparent that other means may be employed for providing spaced signalsupon a cylindrical member representative of the characters to bereproduced and which means may thereafter be sensed to effect relayoperation. For example, but without limitation thereto, the signalsmight be provided in the form of magnetic influence areas by employingsuitable eiectrornagnets in the positions of the presently disclose-dpin actuating member for acting upon a magnetically susceptible surfacesimilar to that employed for magnetic recording. The sensing means wouldthen comprise conventional electromagnetic pick-ups similar to thoseemployed in magnetic recording apparatus. Consequently, where referenceis made to production of a signal and sensing the same, it is to beunderstood as inclusive of, but not limited to, actuation and sensing ofthe pins here disclosed and is to be also construed as including othermeans of producing and sensing signals capable of producing the sameresults. Consequently, the invention is not to be considered as limitedto the details illustrated and described except as may be required bythe spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In an apparatus for preselecting printing characters corresponding toa line of type, a plurality of manually actuated means eachrepresentative of one of the characters to be reproduced, a pair ofrotatable members, a separate set of signal producing means associatedwith each of said members with the number of means in each setcorresponding to the number of manually actuated means, means forselectively connecting the signal producing means of either set to saidmanually actuated means for producing a signal on the correspondingrotatable member when a manually actuated means is operated, means toproduce stey-by-step rotation of that rotatable member associated withthe operating set of signal producing means in timed relationship withthe operation of a manually operable means so that each signal is spacedcircnmferentially on a rotatable member from the previously impressedsignal, separate sets of signal sensing means adjacent each of saidrotatable members selectively operatively connectable with meanscontrolling reproduction of printing characters, means for renderingoperative the set of sensing means associated with one of said rotatablemembers when the set of signal producing means for the other of saidmembers is rendered operative, means for effecting relative rotationbetween said sensing means and the rotatable member on which signalshave been previously impressed including means to change saidstep-by-step rotation of the latter to a continuous rotative movement,whereby the signals on the latter corresponding to a line of type aresuccessively sensed and effect sequential operation of the meanscontrolling reproduction of e corresponding printing characters whilethe other of said rotatable members is being provided with signalsrepresentative of the characters in the next line of type, the means forrotating said rotatable members comprising a common prime mover and afriction drive operatively connected to said rotatable members toproduce rotation thereof, means sequentially momentarily preventingrotation of a rotatable member during signal producing operations incorrelation to said operations, and means to render the last mentionedmeans inoperative thereby providing continuous rotation of the rotatablemember during signal sensing.

2. In an apparatus of the character described for etfecting selectiveoperation of a plurality of electromagnets, a rotatable member, aplurality of selectively movable members supported upon said rotatablemember in circumferentially extending columns and longitudinallyextended rows, a plurality of individually operable devicescorresponding in number to the number of said movable members in a rowthereof and supported for alignment respectively with each of saidselectively movable members in a row thereof for effecting individualmovement of the members thus aligned, means for selectively efiectingoperation of said devices, means for producing stepby-step rotation ofsaid rotatable member when any one of said devices is actuated to effectsuccessive alignment of the rows of said movable members with saiddevices, means for substituting a continuous rotation in the samedirection for said step-by-step rotation of said rotatable member, meansadjacent said rotatable member and including members supported adjacentsaid rotatable member and adapted during said continuous rotation tosense those movable members which have been moved by said operabledevices, electrical connections for effecting electromagnet operation asa result of said sensing, the means for producing rotation of saidrotatable member comprising a power means adapted to produce continuousrotation, a friction drive between said power means and said rotatablemember, a plurality of stop members supported by said rotatable member,a master stop member supported independently of said rotatable memberand normally disposed in the path of the said plurality of stop members,means to sequentially move each of said plurality of stop members fromengagement with said master stop member to thereby produce saidstep-by-step rotation of said rotatable member, and means to move saidmaster stop member from the path of said plurality of stop members tothereby substitute continuous rotation for said step-by-step rotation.

3. In an apparatus for preselecting printing characters corresponding toa line of type, a pair of hollow cylindrical members, means rotatablysupporting said members, a plurality of pins supported in the peripheryof each of said cylindrical members in longitudinally extended rows andcircumferential columns for radially sliding movement, a plurality ofpin actuating means stationarily supported in a row extendinglongitudinally of each of said cylinders with the number of said meansassociated with each cylindrical member corresponding to the number ofpins in any row thereon, separate manually operated means eachrepresentative of one of the characters to be reproduced and connectablerespectively with pin actuating means associated with either of saidcylindrical members for selective operation thereof, means to producestep-by-step rotation of that cylindrical member whose pin actuatingmeans have been connected to 18 said manual means to thereby bring eachlongitudinal row of pins thereon into operative relationship with theassociated actuating means for selective radial movement of said pins inaccordance with actuation of said manual means, separate sensing meansadjacent the periphery of each of said cylindrical members adapted toengage those pins which have been radially moved by a pin actuatingmeans, means to selectively connect means controlling reproduction ofprinting characters to the said sensing means associated with one ofsaid cylindrical members when the manually operated means are connectedto the pin actuating means of the other of said cylindrical members,means to etfect continuous rotation of that cylindrical member whoseactuated pins are being sensed whereby the actuated pins on one of saidcylindrical members are selectively sensed and eflect sequentialoperation of th means controlling reproduction of the correspondingprinting characters while the pins on the other of said cylindricalmembers are being selectively actuated in accordance with the printingcharacters in the next line of type which is to be reproduced, the meansfor rotating said cylindrical members comprising a common prime moverand a friction drive operatively connected to said cylindrical membersto simultaneously produce rotation thereof, means sequentiallymomentarily preventing rotation of a cylindrical member in correlationwith the efiecting of movement of the pins thereof, thereby efiectingstep-by-step rotation of that member, means to render the last mentionedmeans inoperative thereby providing said continuous rotation, and meansresponsive to connection of said manually actuated means to the pinactuating means of one of said cylindrical members to render operativethe step-by-step rotation of that member and continuous rotation of theother of said members.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 and wherein there is included aplurality of stop members supported on each of said cylindrical members,a separate master stop member for each cylindrical member supportedindependently of the latter and normally disposed in the path of theplurality of stop members on the associated cylindrical member, meansresponsive to operation of each of said manually actuated means tosequentially move each of the plurality of stop members on thecylindrical member whose pins are being actuated from engagement withthe associated master stop member to produce said step-by-step rotationof that cylindrical member, and means to simultaneously maintain theother of said master stop members out of the path of the plurality ofstop members carried by the other of said cylindrical members to therebyproduce continuous rotation of the latter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,178,380 Spievak Oct. 31, 1939 2,402,750 Huebner June 25, 19462,402,751 Huebner June 25, 1946 2,475,497 Harrold July 5, 1949 2,600,168Klyce June 10, 1952 2,646,733 Ackerman July 28, 1953 2,725,803 TanselDec. 6, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 55,991 France June 4, 1952 (Addition to992,584)

